Hume council will need to spend more than $1 billion in the next 10 years on capital works according to the council’s 10 year financial plan to meet the growing community demand.
Two plans detailing the financial situation of Hume council for the next 10 years were adopted at the August 11 council meeting.
The financial plan details council’s current and projected financial situation, which outlines a $1.48 billion investment over 10 years, averaging $148 million per year in capital works, and includes a focus on asset renewal and growth-related infrastructure. No new borrowings are forecast over the 10 years.
The recent 2025-26 council budget passed with a $149 million capital works program after significant community consultation and feedback.
The new plan was also developed to address the challenges of supporting a rapidly growing population in the municipality while maintaining a strong financial position.
Other challenges outlined in the plan include rate-capping, cost shifting, rising costs from inflation, labour shortages and supply chain pressures, and the growing and aging infrastructure asset base which continues to require increasing investment in renewal and maintenance.
The revenue and rating plan outlines how the council generates income through streams like rates, user fees, chargers and grants for the next council term.
The council said the plans demonstrate how it will maintain financial sustainability, meet infrastructure and service delivery needs, and fairly distribute the cost of services across the municipality.
Cr Sam Misho said the two plans form a robust integrated financial framework ensuring fairness in revenue generation and discipline in resource allocation.
“They support the council plan for 2025-2029 and the Community Vision 2045, enabling sustainable delivery of infrastructure and service while adopting economic policy and community changes.”
Both plans were developed through a range of community consultation and feedback, including a 47-member community panel which provided input on strategic direction, priorities and financial trade-offs.
The council also said they will look to explore a notice of motion in the future to explore the introduction of differential rates, which may be considered as part of future budget processes.
